I finished reading The Hole In Our Gospel some time ago. I was unsure of the best way to review this because there is much good and bad in the book. The author Richard Stearns heads the World Vision organization which I support with my money. I understand an appreciate his goal for this organization which he pushes with this book. The cause of helping the afflicted and poor is a noble cause, and I agree with the premise of the book that Christians should be doing a better job of this. My problem is that he declares that this is a forgotten part of the Gospel. That is where the book goes terribly wrong. The Gospel is given properly in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. It is about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for our sins according to Scripture. The book pushes our works to the poor as part of the Gospel by using many verses taken out of context. Faith comes from the preaching of the Gospel and our works are not part of it. If the book would have kept from making the message the Gospel, it would have been a wonderful book. But with the adding to of the Gospel done, it unfortunately makes the book not recommendable.
The Noticer By Andy Andrews
The Noticer which releases tomorrow is a short book by best-selling author Andy Andrews. Not knowing much in advance about this book, my first impression was that this was an autobiographical work. Then I quickly realized this was a work of fiction that blends truth, allegory and good storytelling. The main focus of this book is perspective. It is a collection of short stories where the main character Jones challenges people to change their perspective. A cast of characters who are down on their luck and going through trying times have their lives turned around by a simple change in perspective. While I enjoyed the stories, I felt it was a little too simplistic. The book gives the impression that anyone can change their circumstances by being more positive and fun to be around. From a Christian worldview, this book had great potential to really hit some deep topics. But for a book labeled in the spiritual growth and thought category, I felt it came up short in those areas. I would consider the book more of a philosophical work. A book focused mainly on perspective does not really fall into the spiritual category. If you are looking for spiritual growth, their are far better books. If you are looking for a good short book with a positive message, then this is a book for you.
Rick Warren Fails Again
Just like Christmas, Easter provided a reason for Rick Warren to be on national media and completely blow it. First would be pastor Warren’s turn on the issue of same sex marriage. On Larry King Live he stated that he had apologized to all his gay friends for his support of Prop 8. Since when should a pastor have to apologize for simply standing for what the Bible says. That would be when you are pastor a seeker sensitive church that cares more about the approval of mere sinners than you do a holy God. When further pressed on his thoughts on the Iowa Supreme Court legalizing same sex marriage, he said he didn’t want to comment or criticize because it was not part of his agenda. 1 Peter 3:15 says: but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. Pastor Warren was not ready to give a defense because his agenda is a social gospel that doesn’t offend anyone. His agenda should be to stand on all the truths of the bible, not just the easy ones.
If that was all that happened I would not have wrote about it, but then he appeared on the Hugh Hewitt radio program. The host gives him a perfect softball question to answer a few minutes into the program. He was asked what should a person who doesn’t believe do on Holy Week weekend. Perfect opportunity to share the Gospel served up to you pastor Warren. He starts off by saying everyone needs a savior. Not a bad start pastor give more. But then he asks the question ” what is He saving me from?”. Guess what word he doesn’t use in response to the question? If you said SIN, you are correct. He said Jesus saves us from past guilt, present stress, future fears and the expectations of others. That is a big swing and a miss. If he didn’t save us from the wages of our sin, none of the other things even matter. The closet Rick came to talking about sin was to to say Jesus was a sacrifice for all the bad things done in the world.
He then gets asked who Easter Sunday is for. He answers by giving an analogy. He says that he thought strained spinach was good until he had Spaghetti O’s. He then thought Spaghetti O’s were the best until he had an In ‘N Out burger. According to Rick that is what Jesus will do for you. He says you may think you have a good life now, but Jesus will make it better. And I thought Joel Osteen was about having your best life now. I hope you are not from China or a country in the Middle East because you may die for faith in Jesus. Your like on this Earth may get drastically worse. He goes on to tell people who have not been to church, to find a church with a lot of cars in the parking lot. Because that means they are getting through to people. Let me tell you that I would rather sit in a church with 10 people and a pastor who unashamedly preaches the whole Bible, than at Saddleback where the pastor can’t even tell what Easter is all about. A full parking lot doesn’t mean sound teaching. It may mean that ears are being tickled or the pastor is preaching self help to sinners.
To say the least, I have had about enough of Rick Warren. I used to cringe when he started being called America’s pastor. Now I find it kind of fitting. He represents the sad state of the American church quite well. People don’t want to hear about sin, and he is happy not to tell them about it. I am currently praying for God to bring 1 of 2 things to the American church: revival or persecution. I pray that we can get our act together and see a revival, but I am not encouraged that will happen. If not, I hope God brings persecution on the American church. When persecution begins the positive confession, self help, seeker sensitive, social gospel crowd will quickly fall away. The parking lot will go from full to empty, because the emptyness of their words will no longer hold water. Apostacy is not an option when your freedom and life are on the line. You are in or you are out. Nominal christians will be seen as not ever really christians at all. Do we really want our churches full so bad that we would give them the world only to see them lose their soul? The scary thing about pastor Warren is that he is training thousands of pastors to be just like him. Let’s pray that pastor Warren would start seeking the approval of God first.
It Is All About The Cross
With today being Good Friday, it disturbs me to see and hear so many who miss the point of today. I just came from a Good Friday service where the sermon focused on Jesus saying I am thirsty while on the cross. After some very fine isogesis about that statement, we were told about serving. Jesus can do nothing without the church, and this statement was Him inviting us to serve. The last time I checked that is not the reason for Good Friday. Good Friday is all about what happened on the cross. This weekend is all about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Without which there would be no forgiveness of sins. The message of the cross is a hard message, and many pastors will shy away from telling the story. Today the Gospel should be proclaimed for all to hear.
We have another church in our community playing off of Obama presidential campaign posters. They are using the posters that said Obama is hope and had his picture. They have replaced Obama’s name and photo with the name of Jesus and a traditional looking Jesus image. This is a pet peeve of mine to begin with. The use of this traditional view of Jesus has in many cases become a graven image to our society. We have no clue what Jesus looks like, but yet here is this commonly used image of our own making that makes us comfortable. That was just a side note, but my real trouble is with the Jesus is Hope message. This message sounds good on the surface, but what does it really convey. To portray Obama and Jesus in any similar way is just wrong to me. Jesus is not hope for a better economy or any of things Obama proclaimed to be. Jesus is not the one who is going to make your life better if you accept Him. Following Jesus may very well wreck your life as you know it. Jesus is our sacrifice and our propitiation. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. He took the wrath that was upon us. He is our Lord and Savior. He is our king who is coming again. Our hope is not in this world, but in the Kingdom to come.
So, why did He come? Did Jesus come to teach us a better way to live? Did He come to make the world a better place? Did He come so that those who believed in Him would have prosperity? The answer is no to all of the above. The Father sent the Son to die in our place. Because of the curse of sin, no one is righteous in the sight of God. We are all born under the curse, and subject to the wrath of God as a result. Only God Himself coming down out of Heaven could take our place. It took a perfect spotless lamb. Jesus is that lamb. He was beat beyond recognition. He was battered and bruised. His flesh was torn and His blood spilled. He was rejected by His own people. All because of you and me. We are the reason He had to come. He was placed on a Roman cross to die. On that cross the sins of the world – past, present and future – were placed on Him. Isaiah 53:10 – But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; He was crushed on our behalf. That is what today is about. The substitutionary atonement of Christ on the cross is celebrated on Good Friday.
For those who don’t know the rest of the story, don’t worry. Sunday is coming. The tomb could not hold Jesus. On Sunday Jesus arose from the dead. Proving that He was no ordinary man, He arose and walked this earth again until He returned to the right hand of the Father. As a result, we have a way (the only way) to be forgiven for our sins. We have to repent of our sinful ways, and believe that Jesus, as the Son of God did everything mentioned above. We have to believe in Him as our Lord and Savior. This is a believing that goes beyond a head knowledge. If I am in a plane, I may believe the pack beside me is a parachute. But if the engine fails, I better believe (have full faith) that the parachute is everything it is supposed to be. To believe in Christ is to have a trust that He is everything He claimed to be. And in that trust, we are willing to devote ourselves fully to Him and nothing else. As a result, our lives are noticeably changed. If you go to a church that doesn’t preach this message, find a new church that does. There is no message that is more important.
Garett Chanley
To all who have not heard yet, Garett Chanley passed away last night. Please pray for Garett’s family as they go through this tough time. To leave your thoughts and prayers with the family visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/garettchanley. This family has made God known through their battle. My earlier story on Garett is the most viewed post on this blog. Garett reached many through his struggles. Thank you Garett.
If you are a follower of a Word of Faith teacher or prosperity preacher, read this book with caution. Christianity In Crisis: The 21st Century will make you very unhappy with your current situation. This book counters many of the false teachers in the Word of Faith movement. This book looks at the false teachings of a huge cast of characters including: Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn and many of the familiar faces on TBN television network. It looks at some hilarious claims such as the teaching that Adam was the first Superman, who could do such things as fly to the moon. This book also looks at more dangerous heresies including the one that Christ’s work on the cross was not enough for salvation. Hank Hanegraaf has produced a wonderful resource with this book. If you are intrigued by Christian apologetics, this is an excellent book for you. It is also a great book for any Christian whose discernment skills are not yet the greatest. Hank does an excellent job of showing readers how to discern these false teachers. He also gives straight forward ways to approach reading the Bible and doing basic apologetics work. I would recommend this book to anyone at any level of Christian maturity.
False Teacher – Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen is probably the most well known pastor in the United States. He also has the biggest church in the United States. What a shame because he is a false teacher leading thousands astray. Joel is all about positive confession. And he is raking in all kinds of money with his positive self help message. Unfortunately his message is far from biblical. Falling in line with other false teachers of his mindset, Joel goes after the paralytic lying by the pool of Bethesda. Joel claims he was there because he laid around for 38 years feeling sorry for himself. So basically he is saying it was his own fault for not getting up and doing something about it. Imagine if you were a handicapped person at Osteen’s church who heard this message. You would constantly feel as if your handicap was your fault because of lack of faith. The beginning of John 9 stands in direct opposition of this idea that it was necessarily his own fault. As Jesus and his disciples passed a man blind from birth, the disciples who had sinned to cause the man’s blindness. Jesus said it was not because of something him or his parents did, but that the works of God may be displayed in him. This is an example of Joel twisting scripture to fit his message.
If you have never seen the interview of Joel on Larry King’s show you need to check it out. As the pastor of the largest church in America, he should be able to clearly identify and proclaim what it takes to get to Heaven. He could not do so in this interview. When asked if someone who doesn’t believe in Christ can get to heaven, he replied that he didn’t know. He said that he couldn’t judge their hearts. He went on to say that when he went to India he saw how sincere they were in their worship of their God. This is game over territory. This puts him outside what is accepted in Christian orthodoxy. This at the least makes him a false teacher, and in my opinion makes him a heretic. There is only one way to Heaven, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. The same Jesus who said that he was the way, the truth and the life. And that no one comes to the Father except through Him. It doesn’t matter how sincere you are in your false beliefs, without Christ there is no hope for Heaven.
Joel also avoids talking about sin like it is the plague. He doesn’t use the word sin and says he doesn’t talk about it because people already know what they are doing wrong. The Law was given to us for a reason. God gave it so that we could see that we are sinners and that we can not make it to Heaven by being good. No one could or can fulfill the requirements of the Law except Jesus. If a person is not teaching the whole counsel of God, they are not teaching the true and living God. Joel’s refusal to teach on sin means he is not teaching the true God.
His other main heretical view is of the atonement of Christ. He claims that the atonement took place in hell not on the cross. He says that after Jesus died on the cross, he went to hell to do battle with Satan. There was this clash of titans in hell and Jesus beat up Satan and dragged him through hell for all the demons to see. There is not even the slightest hint of this anywhere in the Bible, and it makes Jesus out to be a liar. On the cross Jesus said tetelestai, which means the debt had been paid in full. He also said “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” Jesus atoned for our sins on the cross and nowhere else.
Osteen is to be avoided at all costs. He make you feel really good about yourself, but there are many who felt good about themselves in hell. The teachings of Osteen are leading many down a broad path that ends in hell. Following Jesus is not easy, and it will not always bring wealth and health. It is important to place faith where it belongs, in Christ. We have misplaced our faith if we are putting it in the power of own words. Those following Osteen have definitely placed their trust in one who is leading them astray.
False Teacher – Benny Hinn
This is my first post in a false teachers series. I will start with Benny Hinn because is one of the most obvious and easy to write about. The church in the United States seems to lack discernment these days. The fact that so many fall for the antics of Benny Hinn should be proof enough. Let’s look at one of his famous quotes; “Don’t tell me you have Jesus. You are everything He was and everything He is and ever He shall be.” However you look at this statement it is heretical. He is either lower Jesus to our level or elevating man to deity. I personally think that he does both. We are not little gods as taught by many Faith teachers, and Jesus is not a little god but God in the flesh.
Many know Benny for his dramatic stage performances. This is where he claims to slay people in the spirit and heal them. After his many years in ministry he lacks medical evidence of his many so called healings. He also has a response to those who were not healed by him. It is their fault because of a lack of faith. This is another common faith movement teaching. People who are disabled or sick are in their situation because they just don’t have enough faith. Hinn even goes so far as to make Job into a bad guy. Job had all the bad things happen to him because he spoke negative confessions. Even though the book of Job makes it clear at the beginning that Job was blameless and upright. These Faith teachers claim to have the very same power of God in their words. Why then does every Word of Faith person eventually die?
That is normal Faith teaching, now let’s look at some of Hinn’s really off the wall beliefs. They are almost funny, if not for the fact people believe him. He once claimed that while in Kenyon, Jesus would show up on the platform at his rally. He also says that since Adam had dominion over the birds, that means Adam could fly. He says that Adam was the first Superman. He could even fly to space if he wanted. He claims he can see the Holy Spirit and what He is wearing.
In the end with all the beliefs that Hinn holds, I doubt that he is even a Christian. Besides not having a correct view of God, Christ or the atonement, he holds to the belief of Tritheism. He believes that God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are three separate beings with each having its own spirit body. This puts him far outside the box of orthodox Christianity. A Non-Trinitarian view of the Godhead ultimately leads to the many heretical views he holds. The demotion of God and Christ, and the elevation of man to deity are all a result. Hinn is a snake looking to deceive the less discerning.
Random Thoughts
It’s been awhile since my last post. I have been really busy and just wanted to take some time to share some random thoughts on the last couple of weeks. First, I am really excited about the new vision of our church. After reading the book, I am a huge fan of the Simple Church approach. I already find myself trying to figure out where my ideas would fit into the vision for the church.
The recent nomination by Pres. Obama of David Ogden for Deputy Attorney General also caught my attention this week. What a terrible pick for anyone who values family or even common decency. Mr. Ogden is a leading defender of the pornography industry in this country. He is against parental notification by 14 yr olds having abortions. He is against keeping children from being able to view porn in public libraries. He is against virtually any restriction on pornography claiming the First Amendment. Just what we need a champion of the porn industry as one of our top officials in the Justice Department.
I am also currently reading a book on the Word of Faith movement which I will review when finished. What has really struck me most about this group is where their faith lies. They do not place their faith in God, but in themselves. They believe God is powerless to act unless they speak words of faith. They look down on the sick and handicapped because they believe that they are in that state from lack of faith. I will share some more thoughts on this group in the days to come.
Lastly, I have a prayer request to send out. Many of you who read this know Mr. Richard Recob from the Men’s Fraternity program. Richard will be moving to Louisiana shortly for employment. He will be there for several years as part of a construction project. Richard will be separated from his family for this time as he works to support them. Let’s all keep the Recob family in our prayers during this time. Richard I know you read this, so let me know if there is anything that needs to be done for you or your family while you are gone. Through all things, glorify God in New Orleans. And never lose faith that God will take care of your family.
Knowing God
Do you know the true God or a god of your own making? If you know the true God, is it evident by the way you live your life. Pastor Jason began laying out the vision for our church on Sunday. He stressed the importance of knowing God, not just with your head but with your heart. It is the first step in any church’s discipleship process. I decided to look at many of the verses about knowing God. Let’s look at a few.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 This is what the LORD says:
The wise must not boast in his wisdom;
the mighty must not boast in his might;
the rich must not boast in his riches.
24 But the one who boasts should boast in this,
that he understands and knows Me —
that I am the LORD, showing faithful love,
justice, and righteousness on the earth,
for I delight in these things.
[This is] the LORD’s declaration.
What are we as Christians boasting in? Are we boasting about knowing God, or are we boasting about all the great services our church offers? There are too many churches who are not boasting about God in the community or in the church. They feel the need to put on a show, as if God might need help drawing people to Himself. Quit boasting about how much money you have, or how many people you have. Then start boasting about God, so that others may come to know Him.
1 Corinthians 2:2 – For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
How many times do we forget this simple truth? We are so determined for others to know about feeding the poor and helping the sick, that we forget there is nothing more important to know the truth of Christ and Him crucified. This is a weekly message, but in some churches it is only preached at Easter. No one can truly know God without knowing about Jesus and His crucifixion.
2 Timothy 1:11-12 - 11 For this [gospel] I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, 12 and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.
Too many today are ashamed of the Gospel. But this verse shows we should not be ashamed because we know in whom we have believed and what He is able to do. I can’t understand how anyone who knows God and knows what Jesus did on the cross could ever be ashamed to declare they know Him. It makes me angry when I see pastors ashamed to proclaim the truth. I know Him. Do you know Him? If so, it is time to stop being ashamed that you know Him. If you don’t know Him, nothing is more important to know. If you don’t know Him, you are enslaved by the sin in your life. The only way to be freed is by knowing Jesus and believing in Him. He died on a cross for our sins. He took the punishment we deserved. He was buried and three days later rose again. How could we ever be ashamed to know Him?
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